MIRI, SARAWAK, 02 August 2024 – In a bid to establish the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia- Philippines-East ASEAN Growth Area Higher Education Institutions Network (BIMP-EAGA HEI-Net), Malaysia’s Konsortium Universitis Universitas Borneo (KUUB) and Philippines’ P-EAGA Higher Education Institutions Consortium (PEHEIC) signed a joint declaration of intent for partnership to advance mobility and exchanges, research and development, and other sub-regional initiatives.
Signed during the 9th BIMP-EAGA Socio-Cultural and Education (SCE) Cluster Meeting, the ceremonial activity was led by KUUB Chairman Founding Chairman Prof. Dr. Shahrul Razid Sarbini of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) – Bintulu Sarawak Campus and PEHEIC Interim National Coordinator Dr. Hanlie Taha of Palawan State University (PSU).
“This formalization of collaboration between KUUB and PEHEIC is hoped to jumpstart the proposed BIMP-EAGA Higher Education Institutions Network,” said Philippines Acting Head of Delegation and TESDA IX Regional Director Tarhata S. Mapandi, CESO III during the meet.
Meanwhile, the BIMP-EAGA Human Resource Development Working Group (HRD-WG) chaired by Brunei Darussalam requested the KUUB and PEHEIC to finalize the Terms of Reference (TOR) of the HEI-Net on or before October 2024.
As the HRD-WG’s concrete milestone for this year’s Senior Officials’ and Ministerial Meeting (SOM/MM) later of this year in Malaysia, KUUB and PEHEIC are set to deliberate the said TOR in September, to be facilitated by the BIMP-EAGA Facilitation Centre (FC).
“The BIMP-FC will always support the SCE Cluster and its Working Groups in ensuring that projects and activities are well-implemented,” said BIMP-FC Head Dr. Susan Pudin.
The said sub-regional network of EAGA HEIs has been a major initiative and deliverable on human resource development of the SCE Cluster to the BIMP-EAGA Vision (BEV) 2025.
It aims to serve as a strategic and platform for universities and colleges in the sub-region to engage with one another in various key and expertise areas relevant to the development pillars of sub-regional cooperation. This include agribusiness, tourism, connectivity, environment, and socio-cultural and education.
In addition, the HEI-Net is also eyed to lead and facilitate capacity development programs offered by the cooperation’s Development Partners for other Clusters, Working Groups, and key stakeholders in BIMP-EAGA.
SUPPORTING BIMP-EAGA HEI NET. (Center) KUUB Chairman Founding Chairman Prof. Dr. Shahrul Razid Sarbini of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) – Bintulu Sarawak Campus and PEHEIC Interim National Coordinator Dr. Hanlie Taha of Palawan State University (PSU) shakes hand in a ceremonial signing and exchange of the joint declaration of intent supporting the establishment of the BIMP-EAGA HEI Network during the 9th BIMP-EAGA SCE Cluster Meeting last 01 August 2024 at Pullman Hotel, Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. The exchange was witnessed by other meeting delegates from Malaysia and Philippines.